Guatemala and Saint Lucia to join CAF

(Seville, Spain, June 29, 2025). The Board of Directors of CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – approved the incorporation of Guatemala and Saint Lucia as new shareholder countries of the institution. This decision represents a step forward in strengthening CAF's relationship with Central America and the English-speaking Caribbean and reflects its efforts to incorporate new countries and continue to expand geographically. 

The Board's approval marks the beginning of the formal process for Guatemala and Saint Lucia to become shareholders. As Series "C" shareholders, both countries will have access to CAF's financial, technical and knowledge services, designed to support their development priorities and improve the quality of life of all citizens. This further strengthens CAF's relationship with Central America and the Caribbean and reaffirms the bank's commitment to sustainable and inclusive development in the region.

"We welcome the decision of Guatemala and Saint Lucia to join CAF, as it represents a vote of confidence in our renewed agenda for sustainable and inclusive growth," said Sergio Díaz-Granados, CAF's Executive President. "We are honoured by the trust placed in us by the governments of Saint Lucia and Guatemala, and we look forward to working closely with them to drive resilience, climate action and regional integration."

In the last three years, CAF has undergone an unprecedented expansion. In addition to the recent incorporation of El Salvador and Honduras as member countries, Chile, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic have also joined. The Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda have joined as Series C shareholders. In addition, other countries in the region have expressed interest in joining the institution, thus consolidating CAF's role as the development bank with the largest presence and reach in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

The incorporation of Saint Lucia follows a broader institutional strategy to strengthen CAF’s Caribbean presence. In November 2022, CAF took an important step to establish its Regional Office for the Caribbean, based in Trinidad and Tobago, with the aim of consolidating its development assistance to the Caribbean, particularly in channelling assistance for climate action, water, energy and food security, sustainable tourism, modernization of infrastructure and digital transformation, among other sectors. CAF also adjusted its brand identity to include the Caribbean into its official trademark and logo to become “Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.”